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Ten Ton Hammer: Crafting also received a lot of attention in 2009. How large of a role to you expect crafting will take in Earthrise?

Atanas: In Earthrise, crafting will be everywhere and we expect it to be a central point of gameplay, especially in the early days of server population. We have intended early launch players to experience a unique opportunity – to build the technological level of their server with their own actions, to choose what technologies are researched and put into manufacturing first, and to establish a working economy from ground zero. While some combat arsenal would be available at the very basic level and with temporary usage due to fast decay, player-made items would significantly overshadow them and define the player economy. As the game progresses and matures, the economy is expected to stabilize, yet collective player actions will still define every change and fluctuation on the market. At no moment will Earthrise make crafting something that can be skipped altogether because if players stop producing, the world would be hit by a rapid decrease of available items and that would impede progress creating a global task for all players to focus their actions. Of course, at no time crafting becomes the sole focus of the game. Every action – from combat to harvesting materials – will provide players with items that once processed, can fuel the world economy.


Ten Ton Hammer: Will players who opt not to craft be at a disadvantage? Will we see crafted items be among the best in the game?

Atanas: Crafted items are definitely the best items in the game. Players will have a choice of vendor sold items and crafting items of their own design. Vendor sold items are intended to be a temporary opportunity to get back into the game after being looted or driven to poverty as they will not be recyclable or repairable. Player-made items will be the only ones that can have implemented designs and can be maintained.

Players who decide not to craft are definitely not at a disadvantage. While they cannot expect to be able to make items when they need them or see market opportunity, they can however concentrate their actions towards collecting resources (either through killing enemies or protecting mines against the mutant scourge) or looting other players (either to own their items, or recycle items into resources). Resources can either be sold on the market or provided to crafters so they can produce items needed by the player.

Ten Ton Hammer: With the current system, can players opt to only craft, neglecting their other, more combat oriented skills?

Atanas: Specialization into crafting is totally possible. Players who come into the game can dedicate themselves to providing services from the start, either by providing recycling services to other players, or through manufacturing basic items that are the basis of production of more powerful items. The Earthrise economic model is built onto multi-tiered, pyramid-shaped chain of item production, requiring that basic and low-level items are in constant supply. This makes sure that new players are immediately able to provide the foundation of the economy so more advanced players can dedicate their focus into advanced manufacturing. Earthrise may be one of the most newbie friendly games on the market when it comes to crafting.

Ten Ton Hammer: Graphics saw a lot of attention last year too, and we understand the art is now complete, with animation touch-ups being done. Do you have an idea yet on what this will mean to required system specs?

Atanas: We are very happy with the progress we have made with animation changes, however once those are finished there will be no changes in the hardware requirements

Ten Ton Hammer: Will Earthrise support DX10 and/or DX11?

Atanas: We have such plans and will reveal more of them in the future.

Ten Ton Hammer: What are some of the other highlights of 2009 for Earthrise?

Atanas: A lot of work has been done through the past year. Most of the visual content and interface work has been solidified, and a lot of internal issues have been resolved thanks to feedback from our testers. Aside from combat overhaul, crafting has been simplified and then further expanded with many new ideas and content; animations have been improved as well. Overall, the last 12 months have been great for Earthrise development.

Ten Ton Hammer: Has beta begun, and how can players get involved?

Atanas: Currently we are in closed beta, collecting comments from testers and tweaking the system as needed.  We are working to iron out the stability and content of the beta client, but are on the right track to open beta. We expect soon to surprise our players who have registered at www.play-earthrise.com!

Ten Ton Hammer: Is there anything else you’d like to tell readers about Earthrise?

Atanas: Just like the Earthrise fans, we are also eager to release the game, but nowadays it is really important to focus on stability and working on the mechanics.